Automated non-conforming pixel masking

ABSTRACT

One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving a plurality of communication events associated with a pixel of an imaging device; identifying a frequency associated with the communication events, wherein the identifying a frequency comprises determining a number of communication events occurring within a predetermined time interval or determining a time interval between the communication events; determining, from the identified frequency, whether the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel; and masking, if the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel, subsequent communication events from the non-conforming pixel. Other aspects are described and claimed.

BACKGROUND

Imaging devices perform many different functions such as medicalimaging, security screening, image capture, or the like. The source ofthe imaging may be a radiological source, visible light, non-visiblelight, or any type of source for which the imaging device is capable ofdetection. For example, in a medical setting, a patient may be injectedwith a radiological agent and the imaging device may capture theemission of radiation from the patient's body for diagnostic analysis.As another example, in a security screening scenario, an individual'sbody or personal effect may be placed in an imaging device or scanner tosearch for prohibited materials. The imaging device may include a camerasensitive to the emission source, for example, a camera including aspecific substance or object that is sensitive to or reacts to theemission source. The camera may contain individual pixels which mayallow the image to determine both the location and intensity of theemitted signal.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In summary, one aspect provides a method, comprising: receiving aplurality of communication events associated with a pixel of an imagingdevice; identifying a frequency associated with the communicationevents, wherein the identifying a frequency comprises determining anumber of communication events occurring within a predetermined timeinterval or determining a time interval between the communicationevents; determining, from the identified frequency, whether the pixelcomprises a non-conforming pixel; and masking, if the pixel comprises anon-conforming pixel, subsequent communication events from thenon-conforming pixel.

Another aspect provides an information handling device, comprising: aprocessor; a memory device that stores instructions executable by theprocessor to: receive a plurality of communication events associatedwith a pixel of an imaging device; identify a frequency associated withthe communication events, wherein the identifying a frequency comprisesdetermining a number of communication events occurring within apredetermined time interval or determining a time interval between thecommunication events; determine, from the identified frequency, whetherthe pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel; and mask, if the pixelcomprises a non-conforming pixel, subsequent communication events fromthe non-conforming pixel.

A further aspect provides a product, comprising: a storage device thatstores code, the code being executable by a processor and comprising:code that receives a plurality of communication events associated with apixel of an imaging device; code that identifies a frequency associatedwith the communication events, wherein the identifying a frequencycomprises determining a number of communication events occurring withina predetermined time interval or determining a time interval between thecommunication events; code that determines, from the identifiedfrequency, whether the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel; and codethat masks, if the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel, subsequentcommunication events from the non-conforming pixel.

The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications,generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled inthe art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is notintended to be in any way limiting.

For a better understanding of the embodiments, together with other andfurther features and advantages thereof, reference is made to thefollowing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. The scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of information handling device circuitry.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example of information handling devicecircuitry.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of an imaging device that may use thedisclosed embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of non-conforming pixel masking.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of an imaging device that may usethe disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a further example of information handling devicecircuitry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, asgenerally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may bearranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations inaddition to the described example embodiments. Thus, the following moredetailed description of the example embodiments, as represented in thefigures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments, asclaimed, but is merely representative of example embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in oneembodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various placesthroughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided to give athorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant artwill recognize, however, that the various embodiments can be practicedwithout one or more of the specific details, or with other methods,components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obfuscation.

Users of imaging devices often desire image output of a high spatial andenergy resolution. For example, in a medical image with high spatial andenergy resolution may influence a patient's care by directing aphysician to a location of interest within the patient's body. Manyimaging devices utilize a camera sensitive to the type of emission beingimaged in order to accurately capture an image. In order to capture theimage, the camera image is divided into discrete areas or pixels, whereeach pixel may represent both a location and an intensity within theimage captured.

As with any device, there exists the possibility of a malfunction ornon-conforming-pixel (picture element). A non-conforming pixel orplurality of pixels improperly represents a true image of the source. Anexample of this is a consumer digital camera that captures an image andthe image contains a “dead” or non-working pixel. A “dead” pixel may berepresented within the photographer's image as a pixel or spot withinthe image that is black, grey, a color not represented by the originalfield of view, or the like. This is because a dead pixel provides nosignal to the image processor so that the image processor can accuratelyrepresent the portion of the image covered by the pixel. In a medical orsecurity setting, these non-conforming, dead, or overactive pixelsrepresent a loss of time, resources, security, and/or patient care withfavorable outcomes, because the pixels are not providing accuraterepresentations of what is actually being imaged. In this disclosure anon-conforming pixel may refer to a pixel that is dead, unresponsive,overactive, hot, or fails to conform to performance parameters requiredby the imaging system.

Currently, in order to prevent communications from a non-conformingpixel, a human operator must identify the non-conforming pixel andprogram the device to prevent communications from being received fromthe non-conforming pixel. For example, a service technician may becalled to the location of the imaging device in order to diagnose thelocation of the non-conforming pixel and program the device to ignorecommunications from the non-conforming pixel. A non-conforming pixelthat is overactive or “hot” provides too many communications within ashort period of time. All these communications can result in inaccurateimaging, for example, due to a plurality of overactive pixels the imagemay appear to have many locations within the patient that are ofconcern. Alternatively, an overactive pixel may dominate thecommunications from a local region of the imaging device, thuseffectively suppressing other local pixels from communicating properly.Calling a technician to fix a non-conforming pixel not only takes timeand costs money, but may also prevent the imaging device from being usedfor imaging which may result in cancelled appointments, inaccurateimages that must be retaken, or the like.

Accordingly, an embodiment provides a system and method of automaticallyidentifying non-conforming pixels and masking subsequent communicationevents from the at least one non-conforming pixel in an imaging device.The imaging system may receive a plurality of communication eventsassociated with a pixel of an imaging device, and each communicationevent may correspond to an interaction between a particle or photon witha pixel of an imaging device. A communication event may also be called atrigger event or simply a trigger. One technique for determining if apixel is a non-conforming pixel, is provided by an embodimentidentifying a frequency associated with the communication events. Anembodiment may identify a frequency by determining a number ofcommunication events occurring within a predetermined time interval anddetermining a time interval between the communication events occurringwithin the predetermined time interval. In an embodiment, the system andmethod may determine, from the identified frequency, whether the pixelcomprises a non-conforming pixel. In an embodiment, if the pixelcomprises a non-conforming pixel then subsequent communication eventsfrom the non-conforming pixel may be masked.

The illustrated example embodiments will be best understood by referenceto the figures. The following description is intended only by way ofexample, and simply illustrates certain example embodiments.

One embodiment of automated non-conforming pixel masking applies tosmart phones, tablets, and the like, that ubiquitously include apixelated optical photography camera and display of the pixelated image.While various other circuits, circuitry or components may be utilized ininformation handling devices, with regard to smart phone and/or tabletcircuitry 100, an example illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a system on achip design found for example in tablet or other mobile computingplatforms. Software and processor(s) are combined in a single chip 110.Processors comprise internal arithmetic units, registers, cache memory,busses, I/O ports, etc., as is well known in the art. Internal bussesand the like depend on different vendors, but essentially all theperipheral devices (120) may attach to a single chip 110. The circuitry100 combines the processor, memory control, and I/O controller hub allinto a single chip 110. Also, systems 100 of this type do not typicallyuse SATA or PCI or LPC. Common interfaces, for example, include SDIO andI2C.

There are power management chip(s) 130, e.g., a battery management unit,BMU, which manage power as supplied, for example, via a rechargeablebattery 140, which may be recharged by a connection to a power source(not shown). In at least one design, a single chip, such as 110, is usedto supply BIOS like functionality and DRAM memory.

System 100 typically includes one or more of a WWAN transceiver 150 anda WLAN transceiver 160 for connecting to various networks, such astelecommunications networks and wireless Internet devices, e.g., accesspoints. Additionally, devices 120 are commonly included, e.g., an imagesensor such as a camera. System 100 often includes a touch screen 170for data input and display/rendering. System 100 also typically includesvarious memory devices, for example flash memory 180 and SDRAM 190. Thecomponents described herein may be adapted for use in an imaging device.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of another example of informationhandling device circuits, circuitry or components. The example depictedin FIG. 2 may correspond to computing systems such as personalcomputers, laptop computers, or other devices that may embody automatednon-conforming pixel masking for the pixelated digital cameras suchdevices ubiquitously comprise. As is apparent from the descriptionherein, embodiments may include other features or only some of thefeatures of the example illustrated in FIG. 2.

The example of FIG. 2 includes a so-called chipset 210 (a group ofintegrated circuits, or chips, that work together, chipsets) with anarchitecture that may vary depending on manufacturer (for example,INTEL, AMD, ARM, etc.). INTEL is a registered trademark of IntelCorporation in the United States and other countries. AMD is aregistered trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. in the UnitedStates and other countries. ARM is an unregistered trademark of ARMHoldings plc in the United States and other countries. The architectureof the chipset 210 includes a core and memory control group 220 and anI/O controller hub 250 that exchanges information (for example, data,signals, commands, etc.) via a direct management interface (DMI) 242 ora link controller 244. In FIG. 2, the DMI 242 is a chip-to-chipinterface (sometimes referred to as being a link between a “northbridge”and a “southbridge”). The core and memory control group 220 include oneor more processors 222 (for example, single or multi-core) and a memorycontroller hub 226 that exchange information via a front side bus (FSB)224; noting that components of the group 220 may be integrated in a chipthat supplants the conventional “northbridge” style architecture. One ormore processors 222 comprise internal arithmetic units, registers, cachememory, busses, I/O ports, etc., as is well known in the art.

In FIG. 2, the memory controller hub 226 interfaces with memory 240 (forexample, to provide support for a type of RAM that may be referred to as“system memory” or “memory”). The memory controller hub 226 furtherincludes a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) interface 232 for adisplay device 292 (for example, a CRT, a flat panel, touch screen,etc.). A block 238 includes some technologies that may be supported viathe LVDS interface 232 (for example, serial digital video, HDMI/DVI,display port). The memory controller hub 226 also includes a PCI-expressinterface (PCI-E) 234 that may support discrete graphics 236.

In FIG. 2, the I/O hub controller 250 includes a SATA interface 251 (forexample, for HDDs, SDDs, etc., 280), a PCI-E interface 252 (for example,for wireless connections 282), a USB interface 253 (for example, fordevices 284 such as a digitizer, keyboard, mice, cameras, phones,microphones, storage, other connected devices, etc.), a networkinterface 254 (for example, LAN), a GPIO interface 255, a LPC interface270 (for ASICs 271, a TPM 272, a super I/O 273, a firmware hub 274, BIOSsupport 275 as well as various types of memory 276 such as ROM 277,Flash 278, and NVRAM 279), a power management interface 261, a clockgenerator interface 262, an audio interface 263 (for example, forspeakers 294), a TCO interface 264, a system management bus interface265, and SPI Flash 266, which can include BIOS 268 and boot code 290.The I/O hub controller 250 may include gigabit Ethernet support.

The system, upon power on, may be configured to execute boot code 290for the BIOS 268, as stored within the SPI Flash 266, and thereafterprocesses data under the control of one or more operating systems andapplication software (for example, stored in system memory 240). Anoperating system may be stored in any of a variety of locations andaccessed, for example, according to instructions of the BIOS 268. Asdescribed herein, a device may include fewer or more features than shownin the system of FIG. 2.

Information handling device circuitry, as for example outlined in FIG. 1or FIG. 2, may be used in devices such as tablets, smart phones,personal computer devices generally, and/or electronic devices whichusers may use in or with systems as described herein. For example, thecircuitry outlined in FIG. 1 may be implemented in a tablet or smartphone embodiment, whereas the circuitry outlined in FIG. 2 may beimplemented in a personal computer embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an illustrative embodiment of an imaging systemis shown. An embodiment has a bed for a patient to be imaged and the bedmay be moveable and placed in a gantry 302. The gantry may have anopening such that the patient may be inserted into the gantry. Thepositioning of the patient within the gantry may place the area ofinterest of the patient's body between an emission source and areceiving device. In another embodiment, the patient may be injectedwith the emission source prior to or during the imaging procedure, inwhich case there may be two or more receiving devices 301 and 302. Thegantry may be movable or rotatable. For example, the gantry andassociated emission and receiving equipment may be rotated 360 degreesaround a patient. Other movement of the gantry is contemplated. Thegantry movement may be a smooth motion, step-wise, repetitive, or thegantry may be in a static position depending on the imaging needs of theprocedure. Healthcare imaging is an illustrative embodiment, otherembodiments are disclosed.

In an embodiment, the imaging device may be installed in a location forsecurity scanning. For example, the device may be in an airport securitycheckpoint, a baggage screening location, or the like. In an embodiment,the imaging device may be permanently anchored, moveable, or completelyportable. For example, an imaging device may be a hand-held device foruse by first responders, security, or assessment teams. Other usesoutside of a security setting are contemplated and are disclosed. Asshould be understood by one skilled in the art, both healthcare imagingand security screening are merely examples. Other possible applicationsfor the techniques as described herein are possible and contemplated.

In an embodiment, the receiving equipment may contain sensors that aresensitive to radiological particles or photons. The receiving equipmentmay record communication events on an array of sensors located in thereceiving equipment. Each of the sensors in the array may be representedas a pixel in the final image. During the course of imaging,malfunctions may occur, resulting in non-conforming pixels that may notcapture and send proper communication events to be used in creating animage or for analysis. In an embodiment, one or more non-conformingpixels may be masked to prevent the use of information from the one ormore non-conforming pixels. An embodiment masks the one or morenon-conforming pixels to allow imaging without erroneous data. In ahealthcare setting this may allow healthcare professionals to achievebetter imaging without interruption to the procedure which may result inbetter treatment plans and decrease medical costs. For example, ratherthan requiring a service technician to physically access the device andmanually mask the non-conforming pixels, the system as described hereinautomatically takes steps to recognize a non-conforming pixel and maskthe pixel without human intervention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a technique for automatically identifying anon-conforming pixel and masking the non-conforming pixel. In anembodiment an imaging device may receive a plurality of communicationevents associated with a pixel of an imaging device at 401. As mentionedabove, an embodiment of an imaging device may be in a healthcaresetting, security screening, manufacturing, or any application where animaging device may be utilized. For example, the imaging device may be aradiological imaging device in which radiological matter (consisting ofparticles or photons) is either transmitted through or injected into apatient's body. Another example may include an airport or port of entrydevice used to scan for radiation or other material of interest forsecurity purposes. Another example of an imaging device may be used byfirst responder to determine environmental conditions and/or safety of alocation. Other uses are contemplated and disclosed.

In an embodiment a pixel (picture element) refers to a discrete locationon the imaging hardware surface that may be only a subset of the imagedarea. The data or communication from a pixel or plurality of pixels maybe used to form an image as a composite from the one or more pixels. Animaging device may use many methods to detect a communication event froma pixel. For example, in a consumer camera a pixel represents thewavelength of the visible light detected by the pixel. As anotherexample, radiological imaging devices, for example, those used in cancerscreenings, radiation detectors, and the like, use a type of atomicparticle or photon emitted by a source and measurable by a sensor withassociated circuitry to provide both a location and intensity (or countdensity) of the radiological particles or photons detected. Using thecommunication events from the pixels, an image may be created based uponthe location, intensity, and energy or wavelength of the communicationevent from the pixel. In other words, an embodiment may use the signaltransmitted from the pixel during imaging to create an image based uponthe information contained within the signal. The data may be collectedfrom multiple pixels to create an image of a larger area.

In an embodiment, the method and system may identify a frequencyassociated with communication events at 402. Identification of afrequency may comprise making a determination or identification of anumber of communication events within a predetermined time interval. Forexample, an embodiment may determine how many communications events havebeen received from a pixel within a preset time interval (e.g., 5seconds, half a millisecond, ten milliseconds, etc.). In an embodiment,the identification of a frequency may alternatively include determininga time interval between sequential communication events or an averagetime interval between communication events. As an example, an embodimentmay determine how long has it been since the pixel last provided acommunication event. In other words, determining a frequency may includeidentifying how many communication events have been received in a timeinterval or how closely spaced the communications events occur. A pixelproviding many communication events closely spaced together may beindicative of a hot or overactive pixel.

In other words, an embodiment may use an algorithm for determination ofa non-conforming pixel and identification of the non-conforming pixelmay be based on at least two parameters, for example, an upper and alower threshold frequency. If a pixel sends a certain number ofcommunication events in a period of time, whether too many (more thanthe upper threshold) or too few (less than the lower threshold), thepixel may be determined to be non-conforming. Alternatively, thecommunication event frequency may be measured by the time intervalbetween triggers for the same channel. Communication events that are toofrequent (shorter time interval than the lower threshold) or notfrequent enough (longer time interval than the upper threshold) asdetermined by the disclosed thresholds may label the pixel asnon-conforming. In other words, when a pixel sends a communication theevent is logged and tracked, for example, on a temporal scale. Thesystem may then use the logged communication events to determine howmany communication events have been received and how often thecommunication events were received from a particular pixel.

For illustration, if the pixels were likened to participants in ameeting, one measure of frequency may track how many times a givenparticipant talks during the meeting, and the alternative measure maytrack how long it has been since that participant spoke last in themeeting.

Based upon the frequency associated with the communication events, thesystem may determine whether the pixel is a non-conforming pixel at 403.Identifying a pixel as a non-conforming pixel may include identifyingthat the frequency of communication events is greater than apredetermined threshold. In an embodiment a user, healthcare provider,first responder, security team member, technician, programmer, or thelike, may set a predetermined threshold for a frequency of communicationevents. For example, a user or the like may set a threshold as 1000events in a 1 minute time period. The threshold may also be adjusted “onthe fly” during an imaging session to obtain a better final image ordata. The threshold may also be determined by the system duringoperation or may be dynamically adjusted during operation. If a pixelreaches a frequency of communication events above that selectedthreshold, the system may turn off, ignore, or mask that pixel. In anembodiment, a threshold may also be set as a lower limit. For example, apixel may be masked if the frequency falls below a set threshold, whichmay be indicative of a dead pixel. In an embodiment, both an upper andlower limit may be selected creating the possibility to mask pixelseither in a certain range or above and below set thresholds. In anembodiment, a threshold may be determined locally by comparing thefrequency of communication events from a pixel to its neighbors.

In an embodiment, determining whether a pixel comprises a non-conformingpixel may be determined using a score associated with the pixel. Forexample, each pixel may have an associated score that can be adjustedperiodically based upon communication events received from the pixel. Ifthe communication events from the pixel fall outside the predeterminedthreshold, the score may be increased. For example, updating the scoremay include increasing the score if the number of communication eventsis greater than a predetermined threshold number of communication eventswithin the predetermined time interval. If the communication events fromthe pixel fall within the predetermined threshold, the score may bedecreased but not to a value less than zero. For example, updating ascore includes decreasing the score if the number of communicationevents is less than a predetermined number of communication eventswithin the predetermined time interval.

As communication events are received from the pixel the score may bedynamically adjusted based upon the adherence of the communicationevents to the threshold, range, or other comparison value. The systemmay then identify the pixel as a non-conforming pixel when the scoreassociated with the pixel reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold.Alternatively, the pixel may be identified as a non-conforming pixel ifthe score associated with the pixel is significantly different whencompared with neighboring pixels, for example, if the score of the pixelis much greater than the score associated with neighboring pixels. Theuse of this type of scoring model provides a technique for ensuring thatpixels that are masked are actually non-conforming pixels. In otherwords, during normal operation, a pixel may sometimes providecommunication events that are outside the frequency threshold even ifthe pixel is working normally according to radiation statistics(Poisson). Accordingly, the use of the scoring technique provides forallowance of these normal statistical events.

In an embodiment, the algorithm may use other data to determine if apixel is non-conforming. For example, one embodiment may use not just afrequency of event communications, but may also use an intensity of acommunication event as a criteria for a determining non-conformity.Other system parameters, such as thermal data, bandwidth, connectivity,or the like may also be used for determining whether a pixel may benon-conforming. For example, if pixel-associated elements overheat andbegin to operate outside of a thermal threshold, then the pixel may benon-conforming. As another example, if a pixel uses much more bandwidthfor event communication, then the pixel may be determined to benon-conforming. The system and method contemplates that any datacollected by the imaging device to be useful in the determination of anon-conforming pixel.

If the system determines that the pixel is not a non-conforming pixel(thus the pixel is conforming) at 403, the system may continue toreceive communication events from the pixel at 401. In other words, ifthe system determines a pixel is within a threshold, then the system maycontinue to receive information from the pixel in the course of theimaging procedure. A conforming pixel may continue to providecommunication events to a stream of data along with other conformingpixels to produce an image.

If, however, the pixel is determined to be a non-conforming pixel at403, the system may mask the pixel at 404. Masking the pixel may includeusing one or more of a variety of techniques to prevent communicationfrom the pixel. For example, one technique for masking the pixel mayinclude turning off or ignoring communication events received from thepixel communication channel. As another example, one technique formasking the pixel may include turning off the pixel so that it does notprovide any communication events at all. Still another technique mayinclude disregarding any communication events received from the pixel.In other words, the communication events may be received but thereafterdisregarded or discarded for use producing an image.

In an embodiment, a pixel may be masked for different time periods oreven permanently. For example, if a pixel is identified asnon-conforming pixel, the system may mask the non-conforming pixel verybriefly, for example, for the duration of the imaging session, until apower cycle of the system, until a reset event, until a technician oruser unmasks the pixel, or the like. The pixel may also be maskedpermanently. In other words, the pixel may be masked and remain maskedeven in the event of a power cycle, system reset, or the like. The onlyway to unmask a permanently masked pixel may be by a technician or otheruser manually reinstating the pixel.

Data collected with respect to non-conforming pixels may be tracked inreal-time both on and offsite, or saved to a log for later analysis bythe system, user, technician, or manufacturer. For example, in anembodiment, a non-conforming pixel may be added to a list includingnon-conforming pixels. The list may be in a format to allow the systemor a user to determine when a pixel became non-conforming, how often apixel becomes non-conforming, how far out of range from a threshold thepixel was during imaging, how the non-conforming pixels neighbors withinthe array were performing, and the like. List data may be useful totrack the history and real-time performance of a non-conforming pixeland performance of other pixels in an array. For example, if aparticular pixel frequently is determined to be non-conforming, forexample after a reset, the pixel may be indicated as a troublesomepixel. A pixel that is non-conforming frequently may be identified fordiagnostics, calibration, replacement, or the like.

Additionally, the list or other tracking mechanism may be used todetermine when a pixel should be permanently masked. For example, if apixel continues to get added to the list, the system may determine thatthe pixel is troublesome and may permanently mask the pixel. Thedetermination that the pixel should be permanently masked may bedependent on a threshold value for list addition. For example, if thepixel is added to the list more than three times, the system maydetermine that the pixel should be permanently masked. As anotherexample, if the pixel is added to the list a predetermined number oftimes within a predetermined time period (e.g., three times in the lasttwo months, four times in the last five imaging operations, 70% of thetime, etc.) the system may determine that the pixel should bepermanently masked. The value, threshold, or frequency for determinationof permanent masking may be a default value, set by a user, ordynamically adjusted. Alternatively, rather than the systemautomatically determining whether a pixel should be permanently masked,a technician or other user may make that determination.

In an embodiment, the process of determining if a pixel isnon-conforming is an ongoing process that can occur during imaging andmay be based upon historical information regarding the pixel and pixelcommunication events. The determination of whether a pixel isnon-conforming may occur at a set time or may occur on a continuousbasis. For example, the system may detect non-conforming pixelscontinuously, periodically, at the beginning of imaging, the end of aprocedure, or any combination thereof or other times. In an embodiment,the time for detection of a non-conforming pixel may be set by a user, adefault value, or the like. Additionally, masking of a non-conformingpixel may occur at set times or whenever the pixel is identified asnon-conforming. In an embodiment the masking may occur within theimaging device itself. Additionally or alternatively, the masking mayoccur at a remote site such as a device receiving the data communicationevents from the imaging device, a remote location, a cloud server,operational command, or the like.

In an embodiment, data associated with the non-conforming pixels may bereplaced with image data. This replacement image data may be based uponother pixels. In other words, if a pixel is determined to benon-conforming and no further communication events are received from thenon-conforming pixel, a “hole” or black area on the image may beobserved. To rectify this “hole” in the image, an image correctiontechnique may be employed. One common image correction technique usesdata from neighboring pixels, or other pixels in proximity to thenon-conforming pixel. It should be understood that a neighbor pixel doesnot have to be directly adjacent to a non-conforming pixel. Rather,neighboring pixels may include pixels within a particular range orproximity to the non-conforming pixel.

In an embodiment, non-conforming pixel data may be inferred,interpolated, or the like, using the neighboring pixel data. In oneimage correction technique, the non-conforming data may be “filled in”by conforming neighboring pixels. For example, if a non-conforming pixelhas conforming neighbors and the neighbor communication events are allsimilar, the data from a neighboring pixel may be used for thenon-conforming pixels. In another example, if the non-conforming pixelhas conforming pixel neighbors that show a gradient across a space, thenon-conforming pixel may be assigned a value within that gradient thatmatches the neighboring gradient pattern. In an embodiment, differentmathematical methods may be used to infer non-conforming event data suchas averaging, median, spline, interpolation, weighted averaging, eventhistograms, rasters, detection of communication event in patterns acrossthe array, or the like.

In some applications, the non-conforming pixel's own data from a timebefore becoming non-conforming may be used to extrapolate replacementpixel data. In an embodiment, the imaging device may be physicallyshifted such that conforming pixels may then image areas previouslyassociated with a non-conforming pixel. For example, a gantry andassociated imaging device may be rotated about a patient body. In someprocedures the target to be imaged may be moving, such as a bolus ofradioactive agent travelling through a vasculature. If the target ismoving, the method may make a prediction of where an imaging target maybe and at what intensity as the target moves across the array from aconforming to a non-conforming to a conforming pixel. The non-conformingpixel communication events may be inferred from the neighbors which maycapture data before and after the movement across a non-conformingpixel.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the pixelated detectors of the variousembodiments may be provided as part of different types of imagingsystems, for example, nuclear medicine (NM) imaging systems such aspositron emission tomography (PET) imaging systems, single-photonemission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging systems and/or x-rayimaging systems and x-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging systems,among others. For example, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment of a medical imaging system 510 constructed in accordancewith various embodiments, which in this embodiment is a SPECT imagingsystem similar to FIG. 3. The system 510 includes an integrated gantry512 that further includes a rotor 514 oriented about a gantry centralbore 532. The rotor 514 is configured to support one or more NMpixelated cameras 518 (two cameras 518 are shown), such as, but notlimited to gamma cameras, SPECT detectors, multi-layer pixelated cameras(e.g., Compton camera) and/or PET detectors. It should be noted thatwhen the medical imaging system 510 includes a CT camera or an x-raycamera, the medical imaging system 510 also includes an x-ray tube (notshown) for emitting x-ray radiation towards the detectors. In variousembodiments, the cameras 518 are formed from pixelated detectors asdescribed in more detail herein. The rotors 514 are further configuredto rotate axially about an examination axis 519.

A patient table 520 may include a bed 522 slidingly coupled to a bedsupport system 524, which may be coupled directly to a floor or may becoupled to the gantry 512 through a base 526 coupled to the gantry 512.The bed 522 may include a stretcher 528 slidingly coupled to an uppersurface 530 of the bed 522. The patient table 520 is configured tofacilitate ingress and egress of a patient (not shown) into anexamination position that is substantially aligned with examination axis519. During an imaging scan, the patient table 520 may be controlled tomove the bed 522 and/or stretcher 528 axially into and out of a bore532. The operation and control of the imaging system 510 may beperformed in any manner known in the art. It should be noted that thevarious embodiments may be implemented in connection with imagingsystems that include rotating gantries or stationary gantries.

Referring now to FIG. 6, which illustrates a block diagram illustratingan imaging system 650 that has a plurality of pixelated imagingdetectors configured in accordance with various embodiments mounted on agantry. It should be noted that the imaging system may also be amulti-modality imaging system, such as an NM/CT imaging system. Theimaging system 650, illustrated as a SPECT imaging system, generallyincludes a plurality of pixelated imaging detectors 652 and 654 (two areillustrated) mounted on a gantry 656. It should be noted that additionalimaging detectors may be provided. The imaging detectors 652 and 654 arelocated at multiple positions (e.g., in an L-mode configuration, asshown) with respect to a patient 658 in a bore 660 of the gantry 656.The patient 658 is supported on a patient table 662 such that radiationor imaging data specific to a structure of interest (e.g., the heart)within the patient 658 may be acquired. It should be noted that althoughthe imaging detectors 652 and 654 are configured for movable operation(azimuthally around, radially in or out, rotatably around an axis,tiltably about a pivot, and the like) of the gantry 656, in some imagingsystems, imaging detectors are fixedly coupled to the gantry 656 and ina stationary position, for example, in a PET imaging system (e.g., aring of imaging detectors). It also should be noted that the imagingdetectors 652 and 654 may be formed from different materials asdescribed herein and provided in different configurations known in theart, such as flat or curved panels.

One or more collimators may be provided in front of the radiationdetection face (not shown) of one or more of the imaging detectors 652and 654. The imaging detectors 652 and 654 acquire a 2D image that maybe defined by the x and y location of a pixel and the location of theimaging detectors 652 and 654. The radiation detection face (not shown)is directed towards, for example, the patient 658, which may be a humanpatient, animal, airport baggage, or the like.

A controller unit 664 may control the movement and positioning of thepatient table 662 with respect to the imaging detectors 652 and 654 andthe movement and positioning of the imaging detectors 652 and 654 withrespect to the patient 658 to position the desired anatomy of thepatient 658 within the fields of view (FOVs) of the imaging detectors652 and 654, which may be performed prior to acquiring an image of theanatomy of interest. The controller unit 664 may have a table controller665 and a gantry motor controller 667 that each may be automaticallycommanded by a processing unit 668, manually controlled by an operator,or a combination thereof. The table controller 665 may move the patienttable 662 to position the patient 658 relative to the FOV of the imagingdetectors 652 and 654. Additionally, or optionally, the imagingdetectors 652 and 654 may be moved, positioned or oriented relative tothe patient 658 or rotated about the patient 658 under the control ofthe gantry motor controller 667.

The imaging data may be combined and reconstructed into an image, whichmay comprise 2D images, a 3D volume or a 3D volume over time (4D).

A Data Acquisition System (DAS) 670 receives analog and/or digitalelectrical signal data produced by the imaging detectors 652 and 654 anddecodes the data for subsequent processing as described in more detailherein. An image reconstruction processor 672 receives the data from theDAS 670 and reconstructs an image using any reconstruction process knownin the art. A data storage device 674 may be provided to store data fromthe DAS 670 or reconstructed image data. An input device 676 also may beprovided to receive user inputs and a display 678 may be provided todisplay reconstructed images. A charge location determination module 680may provide x and y position for each gamma photon interaction thepixelated imaging detectors 652 and 654. In an embodiment, adepth-of-interaction z position may be determined.

The various embodiments described herein thus represent a technicalimprovement to imaging devices that may require high sensitivity to thematerial imaged. An embodiment allows for the automatic detection andmasking of one or more pixels determined to be non-conforming. Using thetechniques described herein, rather than requiring a technician or otheruser to manually mask the non-conforming pixel, the system canautomatically identify and mask the non-conforming pixel. This resultsin more accurate imaging, less device down-time, and lower costsassociated with the imaging procedure.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, various aspects may beembodied as a system, method or device program product. Accordingly,aspects may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or anembodiment including software that may all generally be referred toherein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects maytake the form of a device program product embodied in one or more devicereadable medium(s) having device readable program code embodiedtherewith.

It should be noted that the various functions described herein may beimplemented using instructions stored on a device readable storagemedium such as a non-signal storage device that are executed by aprocessor. A storage device may be, for example, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples of a storage medium would include the following: aportable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-onlymemory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device,or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of thisdocument, a storage device is not a signal and “non-transitory” includesall media except signal media.

Program code embodied on a storage medium may be transmitted using anyappropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline,optical fiber cable, RF, et cetera, or any suitable combination of theforegoing.

Program code for carrying out operations may be written in anycombination of one or more programming languages. The program code mayexecute entirely on a single device, partly on a single device, as astand-alone software package, partly on single device and partly onanother device, or entirely on the other device. In some cases, thedevices may be connected through any type of connection or network,including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), orthe connection may be made through other devices (for example, throughthe Internet using an Internet Service Provider), through wirelessconnections, e.g., near-field communication, or through a hard wireconnection, such as over a USB connection.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to the figures,which illustrate example methods, devices and program products accordingto various example embodiments. It will be understood that the actionsand functionality may be implemented at least in part by programinstructions. These program instructions may be provided to a processorof a device, a special purpose information handling device, or otherprogrammable data processing device to produce a machine, such that theinstructions, which execute via a processor of the device implement thefunctions/acts specified.

It is worth noting that while specific blocks are used in the figures,and a particular ordering of blocks has been illustrated, these arenon-limiting examples. In certain contexts, two or more blocks may becombined, a block may be split into two or more blocks, or certainblocks may be re-ordered or re-organized as appropriate, as the explicitillustrated examples are used only for descriptive purposes and are notto be construed as limiting.

As used herein, the singular “a” and “an” may be construed as includingthe plural “one or more” unless clearly indicated otherwise.

This disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art. The example embodiments were chosen and described in orderto explain principles and practical application, and to enable others ofordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for variousembodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particularuse contemplated.

Thus, although illustrative example embodiments have been describedherein with reference to the accompanying figures, it is to beunderstood that this description is not limiting and that various otherchanges and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in theart without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.

1. A method, comprising: receiving a plurality of communication eventsassociated with a pixel of an imaging device; identifying a frequencyassociated with the communication events, wherein the identifying afrequency comprises determining a number of communication eventsoccurring within a predetermined time interval or determining a timeinterval between the communication events; resolving, from theidentified frequency, whether the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixelby updating a score associated with the pixel, wherein the updating ascore comprises increasing the score if the number of communicationevents is greater than a predetermined number of communication eventswithin the predetermined time interval and wherein the updating a scorecomprises decreasing the score if the number of communication events isless than a predetermined number of communication events within thepredetermined time interval; and masking, if the pixel comprises anon-conforming pixel, subsequent communication events from thenon-conforming pixel.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determininga number of communication events comprises determining that the numberof communication events occurring within a predetermined time intervalis greater than a predetermined number of communications events or thatthe time interval between communication events is less than a thresholdtime interval.
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the resolving further comprises identifying the pixel asnon-conforming when the score reaches a predetermined threshold.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the masking comprises disregardingcommunication events associated with the pixel.
 7. The method of claim1, further comprising adding the non-conforming pixel to anon-conforming pixel list comprising non-conforming pixels.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising determining a number of times thenon-conforming pixel has been added to the non-conforming pixel list. 9.The method of claim 8, further comprising, responsive to determiningthat the number of times the non-conforming pixel has been added to thenon-conforming pixel list is greater than a predetermined threshold,permanently masking the non-conforming pixel.
 10. The method of claim 1,further comprising replacing image data associated with thenon-conforming pixel within image data based upon data from a pluralityof pixels neighboring the non-conforming pixel.
 11. An informationhandling device, comprising: a processor; a memory device that storesinstructions executable by the processor to: receive a plurality ofcommunication events associated with a pixel of an imaging device;identify a frequency associated with the communication events, whereinthe identifying a frequency comprises determining a number ofcommunication events occurring within a predetermined time interval ordetermining a time interval between the communication events; resolve,from the identified frequency, whether the pixel comprises anon-conforming pixel by updating a score associated with the pixel,wherein the updating a score comprises increasing the score if thenumber of communication events is greater than a predetermined number ofcommunication events within the predetermined time interval and whereinthe updating a score comprises decreasing the score if the number ofcommunication events is less than a predetermined number ofcommunication events within the predetermined time interval; and mask,if the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel, subsequent communicationevents from the non-conforming pixel.
 12. The information handlingdevice of claim 11, wherein to determine a number of communicationevents comprises determining that the number of communication eventsoccurring within a predetermined time interval is greater than apredetermined number of communications events or that the time intervalbetween communication events is less than a threshold time interval. 13.(canceled)
 14. (canceled)
 15. The information handling device of claim11, wherein to resolve further comprises identifying the pixel asnon-conforming when the score reaches a predetermined threshold.
 16. Theinformation handling device of claim 11, wherein to mask comprisesdisregarding communication events associated with the pixel.
 17. Theinformation handling device of claim 11, further comprising adding thenon-conforming pixel to a non-conforming pixel list comprisingnon-conforming pixels.
 18. The information handling device of claim 17,further comprising determining a number of times the non-conformingpixel has been added to the non-conforming pixel list.
 19. Theinformation handling device of claim 18, further comprising, responsiveto determining that the number of times the non-conforming pixel hasbeen added to the non-conforming pixel list is greater than apredetermined threshold, permanently masking the non-conforming pixel.20. The information handling device of claim 11, further comprisingreplacing image data associated with the non-conforming pixel withinimage data based upon data from a plurality of pixels neighboring thenon-conforming pixel.
 21. A product, comprising: a storage device thatstores code, the code being executable by a processor and comprising:code that receives a plurality of communication events associated with apixel of an imaging device; code that identifies a frequency associatedwith the communication events, wherein the identifying a frequencycomprises determining a number of communication events occurring withina predetermined time interval or determining a time interval between thecommunication events; code that resolves, from the identified frequency,whether the pixel comprises a non-conforming pixel by updating a scoreassociated with the pixel, wherein the updating a score comprisesincreasing the score if the number of communication events is greaterthan a predetermined number of communication events within thepredetermined time interval and wherein the updating a score comprisesdecreasing the score if the number of communication events is less thana predetermined number of communication events within the predeterminedtime interval; and code that masks, if the pixel comprises anon-conforming pixel, subsequent communication events from thenon-conforming pixel.